Where was District 12 filmed in The Hunger Games. How can you visit the Henry River Mill Village ghost town. What events and tours are available at the Hunger Games filming location near Asheville. Can you stay overnight in the restored mill houses.
The Revival of Henry River Mill Village: From Ghost Town to Hunger Games Fame
In a remarkable turn of events, the abandoned Henry River mill village near Asheville, North Carolina, has found new life after decades of desolation. This once-thriving textile community, which had been deserted since the 1970s, unexpectedly reemerged into the spotlight in 2011 when it was chosen as a filming location for the blockbuster movie “The Hunger Games.” Serving as the backdrop for Katniss Everdeen’s home in District 12, the village’s haunting beauty and historical significance captured the imagination of filmmakers and fans alike.
Located approximately an hour east of Asheville along Interstate 40, near the town of Morganton, Henry River Village has now become a beacon for movie enthusiasts, history buffs, and curious travelers. The 72-acre property, purchased by Calvin Reyes and his family in 2017, is undergoing a thoughtful transformation that aims to preserve its rich heritage while offering unique experiences to visitors.
Guided Tours and Special Events
Today, the village welcomes visitors through a variety of guided tours and special events. These experiences not only provide an up-close look at the filming locations but also offer insights into the area’s industrial past. The Henry River Preservation Fund, a non-profit organization, has been instrumental in organizing these activities to raise funds for the village’s preservation efforts.
- Year-round guided tours
- Special Hunger Games film location tours on select dates
- Weddings and private events in a unique, historic setting
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step into a piece of cinematic history? The village’s Company Store, which served as Mellark’s Bakery in the film, is one of the highlights of these tours. Visitors can peek inside this and other restored buildings, getting a glimpse of life in a early 20th-century mill village and the transformative power of movie magic.
Stay Overnight in District 12: The New Vacation Rental Experience
In an exciting development for 2021, visitors now have the opportunity to immerse themselves fully in the Henry River Mill Village experience by staying overnight in a restored mill house. House #12 has been meticulously renovated to offer modern comforts while retaining its historical charm.
Features of the Vacation Rental
- Divided into two separate units
- Each unit includes a queen bed and two twin beds
- Kitchenette with microwave and refrigerator
- Two full bathrooms per unit
- Option to rent both units for full house occupancy
The renovation of House #12 is just the beginning. Future plans include the restoration of more homes to serve as vacation rentals, offering visitors a truly unique way to experience the village’s history and the world of The Hunger Games.
From Textile Mill to Silver Screen: The History of Henry River Mill Village
To truly appreciate the significance of Henry River Mill Village, it’s essential to understand its rich history. Founded in 1904 by Michael Erastus Rudisill, the village was designed as a self-contained community centered around textile production.
Key Historical Facts
- Established in 1904 on a 1500-acre tract
- Chosen for its hydropower potential
- Originally incorporated as the Henry River Manufacturing Company
- Produced fine cotton yarns
- Featured a 30-foot reinforced concrete dam and a three-story brick mill building
- Included approximately 35 worker cottages, with 20 still standing today
How did the village evolve over time? Initially powered by water, the mill transitioned to steam power in 1914 and then to electricity in 1926. At its peak, the mill operated 12,000 spindles, producing fine combed yarn for lace. However, the prosperity was not to last. The mill closed in the late 1960s, and a devastating fire in 1977 destroyed the main mill building, leaving the village to slowly deteriorate over the following decades.
The Hunger Games Connection: Bringing District 12 to Life
The selection of Henry River Mill Village as a filming location for “The Hunger Games” in 2011 marked a turning point in its history. For nine days, the abandoned village was transformed into the impoverished District 12, home of the story’s heroine, Katniss Everdeen.
Notable Filming Details
- The Company Store building served as Mellark’s Bakery
- House #16 was used as Katniss Everdeen’s home
- One mill house was sacrificed in an explosion for the movie
- Stars including Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, and Josh Hutcherson filmed on location
The movie’s success brought renewed interest to the village, highlighting its potential as a tourist destination and sparking efforts to preserve this piece of both industrial and cinematic history.
Preserving the Past: Restoration Efforts and Future Plans
Under the stewardship of Calvin Reyes and his family, Henry River Mill Village is undergoing a careful restoration process. The goal is to maintain the site’s historical integrity while adapting it for modern use and enjoyment.
Ongoing and Future Projects
- Restoration of additional houses for vacation rentals
- Plans to convert the Company Store into a restaurant featuring village recipes
- Development of an on-site museum in House #16 (Katniss Everdeen’s home in the film)
- Collection and preservation of original items found in the homes
These efforts not only aim to preserve the physical structures but also to keep alive the stories of the residents who once lived and worked in the village. The Reyes family’s commitment to sharing the village’s history with visitors ensures that this unique slice of American industrial heritage will continue to educate and inspire future generations.
Experiencing Henry River Mill Village: Visitor Information
For those eager to explore this fascinating blend of history and Hollywood, Henry River Mill Village offers several ways to experience its unique atmosphere.
How to Visit
- Location: Approximately 75 miles east of Asheville, North Carolina
- Directions: Take I-40 East to Exit 119, then turn right and head south for about half a mile
- GPS Address: 4255 Henry River Road, Hickory, NC
- Nearby: Town of Valdese
Is it possible to visit the village outside of organized events? While the area is generally closed to visitors due to safety concerns (many buildings have deteriorating interiors), the village is visible from the main road. For a closer look and access to the interiors of select buildings, it’s best to participate in official tours or events.
The Future of Henry River Mill Village: A Blend of History, Entertainment, and Hospitality
As restoration efforts continue, Henry River Mill Village is poised to become a unique destination that offers something for everyone. From history enthusiasts and movie fans to those simply seeking a peaceful getaway in a picturesque setting, the village’s evolving offerings promise to create memorable experiences.
Upcoming Developments
- Expansion of vacation rental options
- Opening of a themed restaurant in the former Company Store
- Enhancement of the museum experience
- Potential for more film and television productions
By carefully balancing preservation with development, Henry River Mill Village is set to become a model for how historical sites can be revitalized and repurposed for modern enjoyment while still honoring their past.
The story of Henry River Mill Village is one of resilience, transformation, and the power of imagination. From its origins as a bustling textile community to its years of abandonment, and now its rebirth as a living museum and tourist destination, the village continues to captivate and inspire. Whether you’re a fan of “The Hunger Games,” a history buff, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of forgotten places, a visit to Henry River Mill Village offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and perhaps catch a glimpse of the future of historical preservation.
Henry River Village Ghost Town, Hunger Games Film Location
Great news! A ghost town near Asheville is coming back to life. The Henry River mill village has been abandoned since the 1970s. It came back to life briefly for the filming of the blockbuster movie The Hunger Games in 2011, serving as Katniss’ home of District 12. Located about an hour east of Asheville along I-40 (near Morganton), the village is open for guided tours, special events, and in 2021 you can now stay in the fully restored house #12! (See below) Future plans include a restaurant, museum, and more restored homes as vacation rentals.
The village Company Store (pic above) served as Mellark’s Bakery in The Hunger Games. The movie, which stars Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, and Woody Harrelson, filmed nine days in Henry River. One of the mill houses was sacrificed during an explosion for the movie. While you can see parts of the village from the main road, come for a closer look during special events below.
The Henry River Preservation Fund non-profit group is holding events and giving tours to raise money to preserve the village. The store (pic above) and a house or two will be open for a peek inside. There are plans to transform the store into a restaurant that will feature recipes from the village!
Events
- Tours: Guided tours year-round, see website for info & tickets.
- Hunger Games Tours: Special film location tours on select dates. Go to their website for info & tickets.
- Weddings/Special Events: Have a one-of-a-kind wedding in this historic ghost town!
New for 2021: Vacation Rental
- Stay in the newly renovated 1905 mill house with pieces, fixtures, and details that reflect the era.
- The house is divided into 2 units that each include a queen bed, two twin beds, a kitchenette with microwave and refrigerator, and 2 full bathrooms.
- Rental of both units on the same dates allow for full house occupancy by guests. Go to their website for more.
See more things to do in Burke County.
Calvin Reyes and his family purchased the 72-acre village in fall 2017. They plan to continue converting the homes into vacation rentals and will open a restaurant in the former store. He loves to share the history of the village with visitors. We are lucky that he is saving not only the buildings but also the stories of residents that lived and worked there. Items found in the homes are being collected for the on-site museum in house 16, the home of heroine Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games.
Directions: Henry River is about 75 miles east of Asheville. Take I-40 East to Exit 119. Turn right and head south about a half-mile. GPS Address: 4255 Henry River Road, Hickory. Near the town of Valdese.
Henry River History
The Henry River Mill Village (or “District 12”) was built as a planned community with its own textile mill, dam, water and fire-protection systems, and company store. Today most of the village’s original buildings remain sited along a small gorge of the Henry River. The abandoned homes are dangerous inside due to collapsing floors. Stay on the main road since the area is closed to visitors except for events and Saturday visits.
In 1904 Michael Erastus Rudisill laid out the mill and village on a 1500-acre tract, chosen for its hydropower potential. The mill was incorporated as the Henry River Manufacturing Company and manufactured fine cotton yarns. In 1905, a 30-ft. reinforced concrete dam was constructed with a three-story brick mill building. The residential area of the village consisted of approximately 35 small worker’s cottages. Twenty are standing today. The workers lived in boarding houses or workers’ cottages built by the company, which were leased at nominal fees.
Since the loss of the main mill building, the centerpiece of the village today is the two-story brick company store building. This building served as a mill office with the upper floor used as a school room and for church services from 1907-1917. The Henry River Mill originally ran on water power. In 1914, a steam plant was installed and then in 1926, the mill was converted to electric power. In its early years, the mill operated 4,000 yarn-making spindles. By the time it shut down in the late 1960s, the mill had 12,000 spindles and produced fine combed yarn for lace. The mill was closed for several years and was purchased in 1976. Equipment and materials were stored in the mill building when it burned in 1977. Since then, the abandoned town has been slowly deteriorating. Fortunately, the new owners have great vision and plan to preserve as much of the village as possible.
The Hunger Games Film Locations
The Hunger Games takes place in an unidentified future time period after the destruction of North America, in a nation known as Panem. Panem consists of a wealthy Capitol and twelve surrounding, poorer districts. District 12, where the book begins, is located in the coal-rich region that was formerly Appalachia.
See other movies that have been filmed in the Asheville area.
Hunger Games – TRIAD BLACKHAWKS LACROSSE
The 14th Annual Stick it to Hunger Charity Lacrosse Classic will take place the first weekend in December 2023.
Hunger Games 2022
A NEW RECORD!
It’s official! The 26 teams who participated in last weekend’s Hunger Games contributed 11 tons of non-perishable food for those in need, breaking the 2019 record of 10.4 tons. SW Guilford donated approximately 4 tons themselves, winning their eighth consecutive food championship in the high school division. The Adult Hawks kept their 12-year winning streak alive by winning the adult division food championship. Kudos also to high school runners up East Forsyth and Orange HS, both of whom had their largest donations ever. In the adult division, Asheville LC and South Charlotte Adult Men finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively. East Forsyth, SW Guilford, Alamance Spartans, and Reagan continued their long streaks of annual participation in the event. Thank you to all participants
The Blackhawks annually host the Triad’s premier charity lacrosse event — the Stick it to Hunger Charity Lacrosse Classic, commonly referred to as the “Hunger Games” — on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Established in 2010, this event annually donates 3-5 tons of non-perishable food as well as several thousands of dollars of proceeds to local charities.
2020 HUNGER GAMES CANCELLED, BUT FOOD DRIVE SUCCEEDS!
Governor Cooper’s executive order of Monday, November 23, has forced us to cancel the 2020 Hunger Games, but the Food Drive held on Saturday, December 5 in Kernersville collected over 4 tons of non-perishable food. We are pleased to say that we have received generous donations to help offset the impact to our charities. If you wish to donate, please use the donate button below.
Many thanks to the lacrosse community!
Monetary Donations
2019 HUNGER GAMES SMASHES RECORD!!!
Led by defending donated-food champions Grey Hawks (Adults) and SW Guilford (High School), approximately 500 lacrosse players from the Triad and throughout North Carolina donated over 10 tons of non-perishable food for those in need, more than doubling last year’s record. Hampered by unexpected heavy rains on Saturday, the ambitious goal of 10 tons in the 10th year of the event appeared initially out of reach, but the adult players on Saturday and the high school players on Sunday really stepped up to address this critical community need. 10 in 10!!!
2018 Hunger Games
November 18, 2018– With field conditions necessitating a first-time split of the event into two days, the 9th annual Stick it to Hunger Charity Lacrosse Classic collected 5 tons of non-perishable food, smashing the existing record for food collected by over 20%. In addition, net tournament proceeds are expected to approach $10,000, all of which will be distributed to local charities. The event attracted 14 high school teams and 8 adult teams, including teams from Charlotte, Raleigh, Jacksonville, Fayetteville as well as top teams such as NW Guilford, Page and Reagan from our local area. Congratulations to the Triad Adult Blackhawks and to Southwest Guilford for winning the food championship in the adult and high school divisions, respectively. For the Adult Hawks, this is their 3rd straight championship. SW Guilford has now won the championship in 4 of the last 5 years. Thank you Salvation Army for picking up and distributing the donated food. Thank you to our tournament director Hugh Fiery and our impressive corps of volunteers. The Triad lacrosse community is comprised of genuinely good and generous people, and that truly showed during this record-setting event! Thank you!
Registration for the 2018 Hunger Games remains OPEN at:
Individual High School Registration
Individual Adult Registration
2017 Hunger Games
The Deep River Renegades high school team — consisting mostly of Southwest Guilford players — won the award for most donated food at the 8th annual Stick it to Hunger Charity Lacrosse Classic on Saturday at Cash-Bagley Fields.
This marks the third time in four years that a Southwest Guilford High School team has won this honor. In the adult division, the Adult Blackhawksdefended their food championship with a dominant show of generosity. East Forsyth High School and the Alamance War Dogs participated in their 8th straight charity event. Jack Britt High School (Village Vipers) participated in their 6th consecutive Hunger Games. The 8th Hunger Games featured 13 high school teams and 6 adult teams. Fayetteville entered two high school teams — a varsity and JV team from Jack Britt High School — and an adult team from Fort Bragg. Approximately 350 lacrosse players participated in the event under sunny skies in Kernersville, and generous donations from individuals and organizations pushed the net proceeds almost 30% higher than last year. All donated food was picked up and will be distributed to local food banks through First Christian Church Ministries.
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Attractions of the city of Greensboro (North Carolina, USA)
Contents
- How to get there
- Weather in North Carolina
- Cuisine of North Carolina
- Entertainment and attractions
- Panoramic photo of the streets of Greensboro
- Sources
North Carolina is the birthplace of country, blues and Cherokee Indians, now a fairly conservative and prosperous state in the northern part of the so-called South Atlantic states.
It borders on the state of Virginia in the north and Tennessee in the west, and is washed by the Atlantic Ocean from the east. The capital of North Carolina is the “oak” city of Raleigh, famous for its dense and picturesque oak forests, the word “Raleigh” itself comes from the name of the English court adventurer Walter Raleigh, a favorite of Queen Elizabeth (if you are interested in their complex relationship, watch the film “The Golden Age”, where the role of the aforementioned Sir Raleigh was played by Clive Owen).
The word “Carolina” appeared in the 17th century – King Charles II named the state (later divided into two parts – South and North) in honor of his unfortunate father, King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland, deposed and executed during the English Revolution, that himself, whom the musketeers unsuccessfully tried to save in Dumas’s novel 20 Years Later.
According to legend, the nickname should be reminiscent of the bare feet of workers who cooked tar, whose bare heels were plastered with black tar all year round.
However, this name is mostly used only in guidebooks for foreigners, and the inhabitants of North Carolina hardly identify themselves with tar, so this interesting fact has little practical use.
Major cities are Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Wilmington.
How to get there
If you decide to go to North Carolina not from Russia, but, say, from another state, keep in mind ferries and trains, although the best way, of course, is to come by car. If you arrive by plane, then the plan “to rent a car and move around the state already in it” will be the surest decision – the roads in North Carolina are always in excellent condition, caution does not hurt only on mountain roads in the winter season.
Weather in North Carolina
North Carolina Kitchen
If you try to characterize the specifics of the local cuisine in one word, this word will be “pork”. Ham, bacon, smoky or salted pork, lard… Traditional American barbecue, of course, is also made from pork meat.
In North Carolina, only hooves remain of a pig – nothing is wasted. For example, a popular delicacy (it takes a certain amount of courage to taste it) is pork offal, essentially pig intestines, thoroughly washed, boiled and fried. The locals love it.
As for drinks, the local classic is tea with ice and sugar. That is, if you just ask for tea, you will be served sweet ice tea. If you want hot or unsweetened tea, be sure to specify it. Oddly enough, winemaking is actively developing in North Carolina, especially semi-sweet red wines, which, by the way, are very worthy. And another local product is the cherry-flavored soft drink Cheerwine, a real local legend, it has been produced here since 1917, be sure to try it!
Entertainment and attractions
North Carolina is quite interesting in terms of tourism – there is something to see and what to do. Thanks to such a diverse landscape and climate, you can practice both winter sports (skiing, snowboarding, skating, snowkiting, hockey) in the mountainous part of the state, and summer sports (swimming, surfing, kayaking, diving) in the coastal part.
Well, the central part is traditional hiking, camping, cycling and hiking through the forests, excursions to waterfalls and, of course, golf – almost the national sport of North Carolina.
Many film companies are located here, large-scale film festivals are held, which attract thousands of tourists. For example, it was in North Carolina that the famous TV series Homeland was filmed, as well as the blockbusters Iron Man 3 and The Hunger Games. There is even a fan tour of the Hunger Games battlefields, which also includes dressing up in themed costumes and an archery master class. The fans should love it.
Panorama of Greensboro on the map for online viewing of the streets of the city. Traveling on an interactive map of Greensboro – street panoramas. Greensboro detailed map with search +weather discussed earlier. You move through the streets of the city in real time
Panoramic street photo of Greensboro
We look at the sights and city plan in the photo, what to see, pictures of the state of North Carolina (United States of America).
You can zoom in or out on Greensboro street panoramas using the zoom +/- tool. The nearest settlement and surroundings nearby is Winston-Salem
A virtual tour of the streets of Greensboro and the roads of the area is up to you. Panoramic photos – pictures provide control using arrows on photo images from Google Maps – show interesting things in the world! Even easier – where you clicked with the mouse, you moved there. To now see in detail the location of the street. Medley St, Market St
Panorama shots of Greensboro North-Carolina and the state of North Carolina in the USA are available to everyone for an online tour without leaving your computer. They also work on mobile maps of cities and towns. You can take a virtual walk-excursion, move in real time along the roads of the region. Show your route with names and type of area, search nearby for shops and banks. View your house and a panoramic view of the suburbs on the diagram, search for places nearby, find out how to get there on foot or get to st.
